A disability service in Kogarah says a high turn over in clients will likely affect disability organisations across the region, when the NDIS is rolled out across St George and the Sutherland Shire from July 1.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is the new way of providing support for people living with a disability in Australia.
Under the scheme, people living with a disability have control over where their funding goes – giving them more choice and an individual plan to suit their needs.
It is a shift away from the old system which block-funded providers.
Kogarah’s Sunnyhaven Disability Services psychologist Craig Baird said they were waiting to see what affect the NDIS had on the sector in the region.
“A lot of disability services are seeing how things pan out,” he said.
He said the NDIS roll out would likely result in clients chopping and changing between service providers. “Because clients can move about, providers really have to provide a top-quality service or else they will go elsewhere.”
He said they would be looking to expand in their therapy services to meet demand in that area.
In theory, the NDIS has plenty of merit giving people a choice and control over their providers, which can produce good competition and better quality of services. However, there has been problems with the scheme across the country where some people have felt their plans have been rushed and don’t meet their needs.
People living in the south-eastern Sydney district will be able to access the scheme from July 1.
The NDIS confirmed it would take years to get everyone who was eligible in the area on the scheme, so people should not panic if they were not contacted immediately after the access date (July 1).
If you currently access disability services, funded by the government, you will be contacted to discuss the process of entering the NDIS and setting up an individual plan. Until then, you will continue to receive your current services.
If you are not currently receiving support you can inquire about entering the NDIS on 1800 800 110.
About 460,000 Australians living with a disability, and their families, will be affected by the scheme.
Sunnyhaven Disability Services offers a range of services for people living with a disability including accommodation options, day-program options, and early intervention.